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Day Five
Colossians 3 says we should wear compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, tolerance, forgiveness, peace, thankfulness and love. You may recognize these as the fruit of the Spirit of God—the evidence of the fact that God’s Spirit is living within. How can we acquire these unique clothes?
I have found it helpful to think of them as garments that I should wear. And the wonderful thing to know is that these garments are intended for every child of God; they are within our grasp, and they look wonderful on all of us.
Putting on these garments is not an act of our emotions; it is an act of our will. When you know you’re facing a day that will require, for instance, a great deal of patience, keep repeating that you will put on patience for that day. Put it on by faith, regardless of whether you feel patient or not.
Secondly, many of these inner garments do not come naturally to our various personalities, but that’s no excuse. We often let ourselves off the hook by saying, “Well, that’s just the way I am,” but it’s not the way we should be. Don’t let your personality be an excuse for not making God’s Best Dressed List.
I have a suggestion. Every morning before you leave home, dress the inner person. You wouldn’t leave home without dressing the outer person, but many of us rush out without even thinking about dressing the inner person. So, every day start putting on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, peace, thankfulness, tolerance and love.
I have done this literally for many years now, and what a difference it makes when I consciously dress the inner person. Gradually they begin to fit better and better, and I see that I am more and more dressed properly and less and less a victim of my old nature.
